Scholarships

Scholarships

Mort Johnston Professional Development Scholarship

The Mort Johnston Professional Development Scholarship has been established by the Australian Banana Growers’ Council to honour the memory of a man whose vision, determination, optimism and goodwill were an example to all.

The purpose of the scholarship is to provide financial assistance to individuals seeking to further their professional development in ways that will ultimately benefit the Australian banana industry.

Eligible students receive $5000 in their third year of study of agricultural or related science degree program at the University of Queensland. It also provides those recipients with vacation employment at one or more banana businesses.

This provides an opportunity for enthusiastic and high achieving students to consider a career in the exciting and dynamic Australian banana industry and provide them with a solid foundation for an industry network.

The student will be required to finance their travel, accommodation and living expenses while on work experience, but ABGC will assist the student in arranging the work experience and the grower or other employer will pay that student for work performed.

The scholarship is to be awarded to the applicant showing greatest merit as demonstrated by-

(a) academic achievement in courses undertaken during the first five semesters of the relevant program;
(b) personal qualities, including leadership potential;
(c) strength of interest that the applicant demonstrates in completing at least one period of vacation employment at a banana business; and
(d) demonstrated interest and capacity to make a worthwhile contribution to the development of the Australian banana industry.

The new scholarship arrangement started in 2016, and will then be annual.

Banana Industry Water Quality Strategy

The banana industry has a great reputation for adopting environmental best management practices. The majority of growers respect the natural environment and the Great Barrier Reef and understand the impact their farming can have on the quality of water in local catchments.

The North Queensland banana industry Water Quality Strategy 2017-2020 has been written with a focus on extension and working with growers to help them improve their adoption of nutrient and sediment management practices.